The story follows previous claims from abroad that the England man was on the La Liga side’s radar. However, it is now being suggested that Carlo Ancelotti is willing to wait a year before making his move.

With Sterling still only 19, it is being reported that Real will track his progress and see if he continues on the upward trajectory that saw him star for Liverpool last season.

In truth it appears the media have merely moved from Luis Suarez on to another impressive Red, and while Liverpool fans may grow frustrated at the number of rumours circulating about their players, they would be wiser to celebrate the fact that they have such outstanding talent. Talent Brendan Rodgers will have absolutely no intention of parting with regardless of the rumours suggesting otherwise.

In other news, the Sun claims Liverpool are cooling their interest in Southampton and England midfielder Adam Lallana as his current club hold out for £30million.

With the south coast side in no need to sell, it is no surprise they are putting such a considerable price on Lallana’s head. But for that fee Rodgers could sign a player from Europe who is a more complete package than the England international.

Then again, you could believe the Liverpool Echo, which claims Lallana will try to push through a move to Anfield next week.

With England due home from Brazil in the coming days, some transfer business could now go through, although the report claims Lallana is reluctant to hand in a transfer request at a club he has played for since he was a child.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.